Boston boy lands top role in Will Ferrell’s new comedy Holmes and Watson

Landing a role in a Hollywood film is something most actors can only dream of - but a Boston boy has done just that - on his first ever audition.

Codie-Lei Eastick has been cast in the new Will Ferrell comedy Holmes and Watson - which is currently filming in London.

AKP Management's headshot of Codie-Lei Eastick.

He is playing Young Watson - with Hollywood actor John C Reilly playing the older Watson alongside Will Ferrell’s Holmes. The film, which is set to hit UK screens in December, is a humourous take on the much-loved detective series by British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Speaking to the Standard from his hotel room in London, Codie-Lei said: “I was over the moon as I really didn’t expect to land the part.”

The Fishtoft Academy pupil has been involved in amateur dramatics since age seven, performing at Blackfriars Theatre and in Lincoln - but Holmes and Watson was his first ever audition.

“When we got that call to say he had the part, I was so pleased, but not that surprised as I have always had confidence in Codie,” said proud dad Grant Eastick, 35.

“The producers said they loved him and wanted us to go down to film studios in London for another audition - where he got down to the last two. We then went over to Pinewood Studios to meet the director.”

He added: ”We are told that Will Ferrell himself had seen Codie’s audition tape and was very impressed.”